Texas has the second largest public education system in the United States. Reform Austin is committed to providing in-depth reporting to illuminate the critical issues and challenges facing students and teachers in Texas.
Currently, the state educates 5.4 million children, and the student population is only growing. However, Texas ranks 40th in the nation for per-student funding.
Educating and molding the next generation of thinkers, workers, and leaders is a vitally important job. Texas does rank first for the number of operating public school districts, the number of teachers in public K-12 schools, and the total number of instructional staff in public K-12 schools. Yet Texas has remained well below the national average for teacher salaries.
In the 86th Legislative Session, Texas lawmakers passed legislation requiring school districts to provide full-day Pre-K for eligible students. Though this is important progress for early childhood education in Texas, some school districts are struggling to implement Pre-K programs.
A U.S. Department of Education investigation that concluded in 2018 revealed Texas had failed to meet special education expectations. Since 2016, Texas has earned the same rating of “needs assistance” in relation to compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Although Texas legislators did allocate more money to students with disabilities in the 86th Legislative Session, Texas education leadership says they will not be able to provide all students with disabilities an adequate public education until 2020.
In August 2018, the Texas Education Agency released a newly designed accountability system to rank schools and school districts in three designated areas: student achievement, school progress, and closing the gaps. If a school district ranks poorly over consecutive years, the district is under threat of closure or state takeover. Reform Austin closely follows developments in school districts across Texas, including campus closures.
Reform Austin covers laws the Texas Legislature passes and the effects they have on the education system, as well as the laws that fail. In addition, we report on lawmakers involved to ensure our elected leaders are working for the public good.
House Appropriations Chair John Zerwas is shown during a 2018 interview with The Texas Tribune. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas Tribune A panel of House
Pictured: Attendees of the AFT Rally for Public Education AUSTIN, TX – On the first day of Spring Break for public schools in Texas, several
State Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, is the author of the Senate’s school finance bill. Emree Weaver / The Texas Tribune On the night of the
State Sens. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood (center), and Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville (right), during a Senate Education Committee meeting March 21, 2017. Bob Daemmrich for The Texas
(Pictured: Dan Huberty speaking at a press conference surrounded by a bipartisan delegation of co-authors of House Bill 3) AUSTIN, TX – In a press
(Pictured: Jane Nelson) AUSTIN, TX – Monday afternoon, the Texas Senate unanimously passed an amended committee substitute of Senate Bill 3, Senator Jane Nelson’s (R-Flower
After an extended evening recess, Sen Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, begins an explanation of the committee substitute to House Bill 21, the school finance bill on
Natasha Boone high fives a student as they went over a story the class was reading Jan. 14, 2019 at Edward Titche Elementary School in
Pictured: Donna Howard (Austin American-Statesman photo, Jay Janner) AUSTIN, TX – The House Appropriations Subcommittee (S/C) on Article III held a meeting Wednesday, February 20th
Yesterday, students, parents and members of PTAs from across Texas arrived at the Capitol to organize Rally Day.
AUSTIN, TX – The House Appropriations Subcommittee (S/C) on Article III held a meeting Wednesday, February 20th to listen to testimony on House Budget recommendations for
AUSTIN, TX – The House Appropriations Subcommittee (S/C) on Article III held a meeting Wednesday, February 20th to listen to testimony on House Budget recommendations for
AUSTIN, TX – The House Appropriations Subcommittee (S/C) on Article III held a meeting Wednesday, February 20th to listen to testimony on House Budget recommendations for
AUSTIN, TX – The House Appropriations Subcommittee (S/C) on Article III held a meeting Wednesday, February 20th to listen to testimony on House Budget recommendations
AUSTIN, TX – The House Appropriations Subcommittee (S/C) on Article III held a meeting Wednesday, February 20th to listen to testimony on House Budget recommendations
(From left to right: John Whitmire, Jane Nelson, Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa) Monday morning, the Senate Finance Committee unanimously passed an amended committee substitute of Senate
As newly elected and veteran Texas lawmakers prepare for the upcoming 86th legislative session in Austin, parents and educators will be eager to see if
(Pictured from left to right, back: Celia Israel, Ramon Romero, Julie Johnson; front: Mary Gonzalez, Chris Turner, Gina Hinojosa, Alma Allen) AUSTIN, TX – The
Last week, the House Public Education Committee held two meetings to hear testimony from many stakeholders and advocates on recommendations from the Texas Commission on
(Pictured: Mike Morath) AUSTIN, TX – The Texas House of Representatives Public Education Committee held the first hearing of the 86th Regular Session on Wednesday,
